Cocina 214, the Tex-Mex restaurant with a Dallas area code in its name, is hanging it up after 15 years of serving Winter Park. Owner Lambrine Macejewski says the building was sold to a new owner and that their last day of business will be May 29, prior to Cocina 214’s lease expiring June 1.
Indeed, the Charles Hosmer Morse Foundation sold the building on Feb. 6 to an entity named “Karen’s Garage LLC” for $5,900,000. The new owner plans on remodeling the space for a new concept, but no word as to whether they’ll take on any of Cocina 214’s workers. “I’ll be fine,” Macejewski says, “but I just want to help out my staff in any way I can.”
In my review of Cocina 214 (“Dallas Star,” July 7, 2011), I mentioned that it was quite possibly the finest example of the “uppity Texican” genre that was sweeping the city at the time. Remember Cantina Laredo?
“We are heartbroken,” Macejewski wrote in a social media post. “What started as a dream in 2011 became something far greater than we ever imagined. … From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives and this amazing community for the past 15 years.”
While Macejewski mentioned exploring various sites to relocate the restaurant in her post, “the right place” has evaded her. That said, she’s not giving up and is working with a broker to find a space in Winter Park or Maitland.
We reached out to representatives of “Karen’s Garage LLC” for comment on their restaurant concept but did not receive a response.
Should you wish to dine at Cocina 214 one last time, make reservations online or call the restaurant directly at 407-790-7997.
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